A GOVERNMENT initiative to improve traffic flow on Hampshire motorways is set to be extended tomorrow when lights are activated on a slip road at junction seven of the M27 at Hedge End.

Highways Agency experts are assessing the effectiveness of sets already introduced elsewhere on the M3 and M27.

They say the results are "promising".

The lights will be activated on the northbound slip road of the busy junction, close to the Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer superstores, 7-9am on weekdays.

Similar measures have been introduced at junctions three and five of the M27, as well as junction 11 of the M3, near Winchester.

They are also planned for ten, 11 and 12 of the M27, in the biggest project of its kind in the country.

The lights proved so successful at junction five, near Eastleigh, that their use was extended to the afternoon drive-time as well.

A Highways Agency spokesman said they were compiling figures to find out what impact the £4m lights scheme was having.

He said: "It seems traffic flows are better.

It's promising but it's only early days."

Under the ramp-metering scheme, the controls are activated when road sensors detect the carriageways are busy, delaying vehicles joining the motorway until it is clearer.

Government boffins believe that, as well as improving traffic flow, the lights reduce accidents for drivers joining the arterial routes.

But the AA remains unenthusiastic about the scheme, claiming the only long-term solution to jams is proper investment in the country's road network.

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